Multi-cartridge pen



Aug. 4, 1964 E. HECHTLE MULTI-CARTRIDGE PEN Filed Aug. 1l, 1961 FlG.6

INVENTOR. [777/7 /1'eC/7 /e A TTOR/VEY United safes Patent' 0 3,143,101MULTI-CARTRIDGE PEN Emil Hechtle, ratlell, NJ., assigner to Radiant PenCorp., Kenilworth, NJ. Filed Aug. 11, 1961, Ser. No. 130,851 1 Claim.(Cl. 1Z0-42.13)

My invention relates to a multi-cartridge pen wherein a selectedcartridge may be individually propelled and retracted. Such cartridgesmay be vari-colored.

The objects of my invention are to provide a multicartridge pen with asimple cartridge propel-retract mechanism that is easy to assemble;employing a minimum number of parts in a minimum of space, and having aone-piece barrel into which the propel-retract mechanisms can beinserted to complete the assembly.

I accomplish these and other objects and obtain my new results as willbe apparent from the device described in the following specication,particularly pointed out in the claim, and illustrated in theaccompanying drawing in which:

FIGURE 1 is a top view of my pen,

FIGURE 2 is a longitudinally sectional view taken in the plane 2 2 ofFIGURE l,

FIGURE 3 is a similar fragmentary view taken in the plane 3-3 o FIGURE1,

FIGURE 4 is a view similar to FIGURE 2 but with a cartridge propelledinto writing position,

FIGURE 5 is a similar view with the cartridge partially propelled,

FIGURE 6 is a transverse sectional view taken in the plane 6 6 of FIGURE3,

FIGURE 7 is a perspective View of a plunger and associated latch,

FIGURE 8 is a transverse sectional view taken in the plane 8-8 of FIGURE7.

Referring more in detail to the drawing, reference numeral 10 designatesa one-piece barrel having an opening 12 into which a multi-cartridgeunit assembly 16 is inserted. The barrel is provided with a ball pointopening 16, and a seat 18 for positioning the assembly.

The cartridge assembly unit comprises a longitudinally extendingseparator 20, terminating in a transversely extending spacer 22. Theseparator divides the upper barrel compartment 23 into the number ofunits corresponding to the number of cartridges employed. In theembodiment illustrated, a two cartridge unit is utilized by way ofexample, containing cartridges 24 and 26. The separator constitutes athin-diametric wall extending from the spacer to the outside of theopening 12 where it separates the plungers 28 and 30, used for adjustingthe cartridges. The separator may fit into longitudinal slots 23extending in the wall of the barrel. This would prevent accidentalrotation and help orient the plungers.

The plungers are partially slotted as at 32 and 33 to form rigid legs 35and 37, and an intermediate springy leg 34 having a latch 36 extendingfrom the end thereof.

The barrel of the embodiment is formed with two catch openvings 38 and40 representing the propel and retract positions of the cartridges. Thelatch 36 springily engages the wall of the openings to snaplock thecartridge into the opening, when in each of the two positions. Springs42 and 44 encircle the cartridges for biasing the cartridge into each ofthe positions. Ears 46 extend laterally from the cartridge to engage thespring which rests on the spacer 22. This forces the cartridges againsttheir respective plungers. Pressure is thus exerted between the ,latch36 and the spacer upon which spring rests. Openings 4S and 50 areprovided in the spacer 22 through which the cartridges extend. Theopenings are spaced suciently apart to enable the springs to be iceindependently operable, without interference. The springs rest on anges49-51 formed at the bottom of openings 48 and 50.

The propel-retract mechanism 14 comprising the separator with spacers,cartridges, springs, and plungers, may be inserted as a unit into thebarrel, until the spacer reaches the seat 18. The plungers areindividually depressed until the respective latches are located in thecatch openings 40 constituting the retract position. In this positionthe springs are under suflicient pressure to hold the entire assemblysecured in position in the barrel.

Upon selecting the cartridge to be propelled, the corresponding plungeris depressed, causing the respective latch to be cammed out of catchopening 40 until it reaches catch opening 38 where the latch will engagethe wall thereof, against the action of the spring.

When it is desired to retract the cartridge, the latch is depressed inopening 38 until the latch is free of the Wall of the barrel. Thecartridge encircling spring will drive the plunger away from opening 38until the latch reaches opening 40. At this point the latch will projectitself through the opening engaging the wall thereof.

The latch 36 is provided with a camming surface 39 to allow the catch tobe inwardly sprung to free it from its respective opening when eitherthe plunger is depressed, or the latch is depressed by the linger.

'I'he inner barrel taper 52 adjacent the ball point opening 16 will camthe cartridge slightly off its longitudinal position to enter theopening. The cartridge may be made flexible, or the openings 48 and 50in the spacer 18 may be slightly elongated to permit the ball point totilt slightly when entering the central opening.

The plunger may be rnade of springy plastic with the latch outwardlybiased in position, to provide the necessary snap action when the latchreaches the catch opening. The hollowed portion 41 is formed in theplunger to permit the latch to be accommodated without interferencebetween legs 35 and 37, when the latch is depressed from its position inthe catch.

The barrel opening 38 corresponding to the propelled position of thecartridge, may be externally grooved, as shown, to permit the nail ofthe linger to be guided against the latch, to facilitate depressing andunlatching the plunger. This convenience is not necessary in upper catchopening 40 from which position the latch is normally disengaged bydirect axial pressure on the plunger. The selected propel-retractmechanism requires minimum space in the barrel. Other mechanisms mayalso be employed where the overall diameter of the pen barrel is notcontrolling.

The multi-cartridge pen is exceptionally easy to assemble and operate.Any cartridge may be replaced by simply depressing the correspondinglatch from upper catch opening 40, which frees the plunger, cartridge,and associated spring.

The clip 56 may be molded to the one-piece barrel when forming the same.

I have thus described my invention, but I desire it understood that itis not confined to the particular forms or uses shown and described, thesame being merely illustrative, and that the invention may be carriedout in other ways without departing from the spirit of my invention, andtherefore I claim the right to employ all equivalent instrumentalitiescoming within the scope of the appended claim, and by means of whichobjects of my invention are obtained and new results accomplished.

I claim:

A multi-cartridge ball point pen comprising a one piece pen body forminga combined cap and barrel having an opening at one end for allowing asingle cartridge to project therethrough, and a mouth at the other end;said pen body having a transverse body seat intermediate said mouth andopening, a transversely extending spacer positioned Within the body andon said transverse body seat, and having a separator extendinglongitudinally from the spacer, said spacer provided with transverseseats, a cartridge and surrounding spring associated with each spacerseat, with the spring reacting against the spacer seat and itsassociated cartridge to tend to drive the cartridge in a direction outof the mouth of the body, and locking means including a plunger engagingeach cartridge and cooperating means on the body for holding thecartridge in either a project or retract position, said locking meansadditionally holding the spacer against the transverse body seat, saidbody mouth being Wide enough to enable the insertion therethrough of thespacer, car- 4 tridges, springs and plunger, said separator extendingbetween said plungers when the plungers are in the project position, andwhen the plungers are in the retract position.

References Cited in the tile of this patent UNITED STATES PATENTS2,790,422 Grurnbach Apr. 30, 1957 FOREIGN PATENTS 69,155 France May 27,1958 (1st addition to No. 1,109,615) y 217,896 Austria Sept. 9, 19601,2l6,48l France Nov. 30, 1959 1,229,397 France Mar. 2l, 1960

